An Cathaoirleach: The key challenges to tackling homelessness is the topic of our meeting today. It presents a complex array of challenges that require a co-ordinated approach from Government agencies, non-profit agencies and communities to create sustainable and inclusive solutions. Today I am pleased that we have the opportunity to consider this and other related matters further with representatives from the Ombudsman for Children, Westmeath County Council and Dublin City Council. From the Ombudsman for Children's Office, I welcome Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; Ms Nuala Ward, director of investigations; and Dr. Tricia Kielthy, head of policy. From Westmeath County Council, I welcome Mr. Barry Kehoe, chief executive of the council, which is the lead authority for the midland region's homeless services; Ms Jackie Finney, director of services; and Mr. Vincent Gleeson, administrative officer. From Dublin City Council, I welcome Mr. Mick Mulhern, assistant chief executive and Ms Mary Hayes, director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executives, DRHE... 

Senator Aubrey McCarthy: I thank the witnesses for their presentations, and I have a question for each of them. The ombudsman mentioned that things started to change in 2016 when the focus became more on families and children. He said that legislation does not allow children's rights to be the focus on their own. He stressed in his report and statement that he will hold the State accountable to the Lisbon declaration pledge date of 2030. Will he elaborate on what a dedicated child and family homelessness strategy would look like? I ask that because in 2016 I sat where Dr. Muldoon is and debated the homelessness figures. I was given an undertaking by the then housing Minister that homelessness would be eradicated by 2020. That is why I am a little worried about the pledge, but that is the question. 

On the DRHE, I am passionate about homelessness. I set up an organisation called Tiglin with a bus on the street many years ago. We now have nine different centres. It is to try to help people who are in a marginalised cohort. We run the Lighthouse cafe and every day we see anywhere between 250 and 500 people. What is interesting is that a lot of the people we are dealing with from the point of view of homelessness have additional needs, whether they be addiction or mental health issues. When I appeared here in 2016, I brought in an individual who had been given three houses by the State, and housing first was a wonderful model. Unfortunately, the housing supports were not there for him and therefore he kept losing the houses. Today, that chap is married, he is in business, he has a mortgage and he has his own house, so he is not relying on the State. How are we addressing additional housing supports for individuals like that? 

Mr. Kehoe talked about homelessness and mentioned addiction and different things in his report. Does he agree that homelessness ultimately stems from the lack of housing availability? On the back of that, has he received his updated housing targets to revise his county development plan and unlock the land for housing?...

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